Uniformed & Overseas Voters

Frequently Asked Questions(Click anywhere on the question text to view the answer.)

For what length of time is a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) valid?

According to RSA 657:19-a, “[a]n absentee ballot request on the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) or in any other form received on or after January 1 of each year shall be valid through December 31 of the same year for all state and municipal elections to be held in that year, subject to the request of the voter and the eligibility of the voter. Provided, however, that an absentee ballot for the presidential primary shall be sent to all voters requesting an absentee ballot for the primary or any election prior to the primary during the general election year and the prior year.”

An FPCA received in January of 2018 is valid through the General Election of 2018, to the extent that the voter indicated that he or she wanted ballots for elections within that period.

What is the last day that a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) can be received by the city or town clerk and be valid for an election?

An FPCA will be processed for an election if it is received on the day before the election.

I sent a Federal Post Card Application to my town or city local clerk in 2018. Will I have to send another Federal Post Card Application if I want to vote in the 2020 Presidential Primary?

Yes, the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) received in January 2018 is valid as a registration application, but it is not treated as an absentee ballot request for elections after 2018.

If I send a Federal Post Card Application to my town or city clerk in 2018, for how long is the application valid?

A Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) received in 2018 is valid through the 2018 General Election, to the extent that the voter indicated that he or she wanted ballots for elections within that period.

How can I obtain a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) or a Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB)?

The voter may download the FPCA or the FWAB from the U.S. Department of Defense FVAP website at http://www.fvap.gov/. A uniformed or overseas citizen (UOCAVA) voter may be sent a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) by mail, e-mail or fax by their city/town clerk, or they may go to the FVAP site on-line to print an FPCA or FWAB.

What methods can I use to send a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) to my town or city clerk?

A completed and signed Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) can be sent by the voter by mail, fax, or as an email attachment to the town or city clerk

If I send a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) electronically to my town or city clerk, will I have to send the signed original by mail?

No.

How can I obtain a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) or a Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB)?

The voter may download the FPCA or the FWAB from the U.S. Department of Defense FVAP website at www.fvap.gov. A uniformed or overseas citizen (UOCAVA) voter may be sent a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) by mail, e-mail or fax by their city/town clerk, or they may go to the FVAP site on-line to print an FPCA or FWAB.

What methods can I use to send a Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB) to my town or city clerk?

A voter must mail a Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot (FWAB) to the town or city clerk of the town or city in which the voter is registered to vote. The ballot will not be counted if it is transmitted electronically to the clerk.

Can the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB) serve multiple functions? For example, can the FWAB also be a voter registration application?

The Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot (FWAB) is treated as a ballot if there is a valid request (FPCA) for an absentee ballot on file. The registration information that comes with the FWAB can be treated to complete a voter registration if it is properly completed.If there is a signature on a voter registration document from the voter on file, the voter information can be used to complete the registration process and the FWAB can be counted as a ballot.If there is no voter signature on a previous voter registration application, the FWAB cannot be counted as a ballot, even if the voter registration material with the FWAB is completed. RSA 657:10-b; 657:12; 657:23

What is the last day my Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB) can be received by the town or city clerk and still be processed for counting ?

The Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot (FWAB) can be processed for counting if it is received through the U.S. mail or commercial carrier by 5:00 PM on an election day. RSA 657:22

I am going to be voting using a Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB). Can I vote for all offices and questions?

The Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot (FWAB) may be used by a voter to vote for federal offices only in general, special, and primary elections. RSA 657:10-b

Where is the link for me to download or view the Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot (FWAB)?

Link to the U.S. Department of Defense’s FVAP (Federal Voting Assistance Program) site at www.fvap.gov to obtain a Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot (FWAB).

Where do I find instructions on how to complete a Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot (FWAB)?

Instructions to complete the Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot (FWAB) are also found on the U.S. Department of Defense’s FVAP site at www.fvap.gov

I am a military (uniformed) or overseas voter. When must I renew my absentee ballot request?

Absentee ballot requests in letter form are typically renewed for every election, unless the voter has established themselves as a uniformed or overseas voter and the voter has made a clear request to be sent ballots for more than one election.This is typically done on a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA).Military (uniformed) and overseas voters are urged to update their Federal Post Card Application requests early in each calendar year that they intend to vote, because information on these forms might be outdated or incomplete.Starting on January 1, 2018, FPCAs will be honored through the end of the calendar year that they are received, except that in each year before a Presidential Election requests on a FPCA form will be honored through thePresidential Primary in the following year, subject to the voter’s request.

Can I check if my absentee ballot envelope has been received by my town or city clerk?

Yes.Voters who go on to the Secretary of State’s Voter Information Look-up and enter their first name, last name, town or city, date-of-birth can check to see whether the clerk has received such an envelope.

What should a military (uniformed) or overseas voter do if they do not receive their ballot from their town or city clerk in time to vote?

If the military (uniformed) or overseas voter does not receive an absentee ballot in time to return a ballot within normal mailing time frames, the voter should attempt to return the ballot anyway, since the military and other overseas locations often provide express or expedited services to assist voters prior to federal elections.The voter is advised to download a Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot (FWAB) from the FVAP site (www.fvap.gov) and mail the FWAB using the military’s express mail services.

How does a military (uniformed) or overseas voter determine whether there is time to vote?

There are many ways to determine whether there is time to vote.The location of the voter and his or her proximity to a mail facility affects how much time there will be to return a ballot.In general, the voter should request the write-in absentee ballot in time to obtain a ballot and mail it back.After the voter has requested an absentee ballot, the voter should regularly check the Secretary of State’s absentee ballot tracking web link at Voter Information Look-up to determine whether (a) the clerk received the request, and (b) whether the clerk mailed it out.As soon as ballots have been printed, clerks generally send out absentee ballots within one business day of receipt of the request.Therefore, if the system shows your request being received but not sent out after one business day, call or e-mail the clerk.

I am a military (uniformed) or overseas voter. How do I look up my voter registration information?

Under what circumstances must military (uniformed) voters re-register?

Military (uniformed) voters must re-register if they move their domicile and choose to vote where they establish a new domicile.If they wish to remain as a voter in the State of New Hampshire, they are not obligated to re-register simply because they have moved from state to state or overseas.They can vote at their “home of record”, which is the address the military (uniformed) member had upon entry into the service, so long as they do not register to vote elsewhere.